by Eric Fulton The first couple of weeks of the 2015 National Football League (NFL) season have already shown us many crazy finishes and some unbelievable games. As we head on to week three, nearly half of the teams in the league are 1-1. Only nine teams are undefeated after two weeks (Patriots, Jets, Bengals, Broncos, Cowboys, Falcons, Panthers, Packers and Cardinals). Meanwhile, they are nine teams that have yet to pick up a victory. Some of those teams were I am sure many fans picks to either reach Super Bowl 50 or win the big game. So far, the Ravens, Texans, Colts, Giants, Eagles, Lions, Bears, Saints and Seahawks are winless. I would say at least two of the teams mentioned are a huge surprise. I’ll get to that in a bit. First, the non-surprising 0-2 teams. I would say the Chicago Bears are not a surprise mostly because Jay Cutler is their starting quarterback. Another unsurprising team to start 0-2 is Houston. Who is really their starting quarterback, Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett? Either one does not assure victory. Some days, I’m sure Texans fans wish J.J. Watt would be their quarterback. Now to the teams that should be 1-1, however, they stubbed their toe to become 0-2. Teams that will look back at the end of the season and ask what if we had taken care of business earlier in the year. For instance, if the New York Giants handled clock management correctly against the Dallas Cowboys in week one, they probably would have been at least 1-1 and they probably should be 2-0. The Detroit Lions are in the same boat had they taken care of San Diego after dominating the Chargers early. The New Orleans Saints can probably still contend in the NFC South, but at the rate they are going, it looks as though things won’t be easy in the Big Easy. Despite problems in their running game and defense, the Philadelphia Eagles could win against the undefeated Jets on Sunday. However, if they don’t, their fans will start a “Fire Chip Kelly” website and petitions after the game, if they haven’t already. There are three 0-2 teams left that I have yet to mention. These teams I think are the ones who get on a roll and get back into the playoff mix. I will start with Baltimore. The Ravens lost a tough week one game at Denver in which they lost their defensive leader Terrell Suggs to an Achilles injury that will sideline him the rest of the year. Then they lose a tough game at Oakland. Still, I think the Ravens should not be counted out in the AFC North. Their championship experience led by quarterback Joe Flacco will help this team turn around their season. Another team that is 0-2 but will turn things around is the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts faced two top tier defenses in the NFL the first two weeks, the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets. Andrew Luck is a good quarterback, but if he can limit the turnovers, he will definitely be an elite quarterback. Plus, he has better weapons this year than ever in running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Andre Johnson to go along with fellow wide receiver T.Y. Hilton. Indy’s defense should also be better later on this season. However, there is one team who is a serious surprise at 0-2, the defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. It seems as the though just like in recent years, there is a “Super Bowl Hangover” if you lose the game. But there have been a few teams that have bounced back to have a rebounding season. Look at the talent Seattle has right now: Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Marshawn Lynch and Earl Thomas. They added pieces like Jimmy Graham and Fred Jackson. The biggest issue for the Seahawks has been safety and leader of the defense Kam Chancellor missing two games due to a contract holdout. He is back now and that should give Seattle a great chance to get back where they belong. I think now the loss they suffered in last year’s Super Bowl is behind them. They lost two tough games on the road and they are the team that we can see in a few weeks thinking they are the best team in the NFL without any hesitation. The Seahawks are a great football team and they will ride the ship all the way back to Super Bowl 50.
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